Belt attached support for a top



June 9, 1964 M. J. RUDERIAN 3,136,450

BELT ATTACHED SUPPORT FOR A TOP Filed Sept. 26, 1962 I4 INVENTOR. AX RUDERI N p F l G A 3 By arm/Mfrs United States Patent 3,136,460 BELT ATTACHED SUPPORT FOR A TOP Max 1. Ruderian, 545 Hanley, Los Angeles 49, Calif. Filed Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 226,224 3 Claims. (Cl. 224-5) This invention relates generally to an accessory device for a toy and more particularly to a support for a top to facilitate carrying of the top.

Spinning tops of the type under consideration are generally of conical shape usually defined by surfaces of revolution. Spinning of the top is initiated by a string. Because of the shape of the top, it is an awkward member to carry about.

The above problem is aggravated in the case of tops made up of multiple sections fitted together. The arrangement is such that when the top is spun, the sections come apart so that two or more individual tops are provided. The sections themselves telescope into each other so that when in assembled position, they appear as a single top. With such multiple tops, any device for carrying the top must be designed to prevent the sections from separating.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel means for conveniently supporting a top as well as its operating string.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a simple support for a top which will securely hold the top and its operating string for easy transporting to a portion of a persons clothing such as his belt and yet which may be very easily removed from the persons clothing so that the top may be separated and operated in a conventional manner.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a carryu'ng device for a multiple type top which will secure the sections of the top together to prevent any inadvertent separation thereof.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this inventionare attained by providing an elongated flexible strip having a central opening adapted to receive the apex portion of the top. The portions of the strip on opposite sides of the central opening in turn are adapted to be folded about opposite sides of the top to cradle the top therebetween. The extreme ends of the strip in turn in,- clude means in the form of slots through which a persons belt or any other suitable tie means may be passed to suspend the strip from a portion of a persons clothing. The attaching means also serves to hold the upper ends of the strip together so that the top is cradled in a secure position.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a multiple type top and the supporting device of this invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the multiple top itself in assembled position for playing a game; and,

FIGURE 3 illustrates the manner in which the multiple type top is supported in the supporting device to a portion of a persons clothing.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a multiple type top including a base section and another section 10' adapted to telescopically fit within the base sec tion when in assembled position. These sections include spinning tips 11 and 11' respectively. When this type of top is spun, the sections will separate to provide two spin- 3,136,460 Patented June 9, 1964 "ice ning tops. A string 12 may be provided as shown for spinning the base section when the top sectionis assembled therein.

In order to carry about a multiple type top as described, there is provided in accordance with the invention a top support comprising an elongated flexible strip 13 which may, for example, constitute leather. As shown, the strip 13 includes an enlarged central circular opening 14 adapted to receive the apex portion of the base section 10 of the top. This strip also includes openings 15 and 16 on opposite sides 13a and 13b of the central opening 14, the purpose for which all become clearer as the description proceeds. The extreme end portions of the strip include pairs of slots such as indicated at 17 and 18 for the left hand portion as viewed in FIGURE 1 and 19 and 20 for the right hand portion.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the multiple top illustrated in FIGURE 1 is shown in assembled view in upside down position with the upper section 10' shown in FIGURE 1 serving as a base for the section 10. As shown, the sections include exterior markings about their peripheral portions adjacent to the division line where the sections telescope together. Also provided are arrows as shown. With this arrangement and with the top positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 2, it is possible to spin the section 10 with respect to the section 10 so that the arrows will point to diiferent markings thereon to provide a game.

To support the multiple section top as described in FIGURE 2, the apex portion of the section 10 is inserted in the opening 14 and the end portions 13a and 13b are thence folded upwardly on opposite sides of the multiple sections as shown in FIGURE 3. The extreme ends are then brought together with the slot 17 juxtaposed the slot 19 and the slot 18 juxtaposed the slot 20. A belt 21 may then be passed through the slots 18 and 20 and thence back through the slots 17 and 19 to support the strip as well as the top and also serve to hold the ends of the strip together, thereby securing the top in position. Further securement is provided by threading the string 12 shown in FIGURE 1 through the openings 15 and 16 so that the same will wrap about opposite side portions of the top to straddle the same as illustrated.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention provides a novel support for the top wherein the top is securely held.

While only one particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications that fall clearly within its scope and spirit will occur to those skilled in the art. The support for a top is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the exact construction shown merely for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a top comprising: an elongated strip having a central opening for receiving the apex portion of said top, the portions of said strip on either side of said central opening being adapted to be folded upwardly to cradle opposite sides of said top and including means at their extreme ends for securing said ends to a portion of a persons clothing to enable carrying of said top.

2. A support for a top including an operating string, comprising: a single elongated flexible strip having a central opening adapted to receive the apex portion of said top, the end portions of said strip on opposite sides of said central opening being adapted to be folded upwardly about opposite surface portions of said top to cradle said top, the extreme ends of said strip including pairs of slots respectively for receiving a belt to suspend said strip and top and hold the ends of said strip together.

3. A support according to claim 2, in which said strip includes openings on said opposite sides of said central opening through which said string for said top may be threaded to straddle said top and hold the same between said end portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Laird Apr. 9, 1912 Prendergast Mar. 10, 1914 Adams Sept. 26, 1916 Upham May 17, 1927 Tintore Mar. 22, 1938 Johnston May 27, 1958 

1. A SUPPORT FOR A TOP COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED STRIP HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING FOR RECEIVING THE APEX PORTION OF SAID TOP, THE PORTIONS OF SAID STRIP ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID CENTRAL OPENING BEING ADAPTED T BE FOLDED UPWARDLY TO CRADLE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID TOP AND INCLUDING MEANS AT THEIR EXTRENE ENDS FOR SECURING SAID ENDS TO A PORTION OF A PERSON''S CLOTHING TO ENABLE CARRYING OF SAID TOP. 